Judge Veronica Galván’s decision came after a two-week hearing at the end of September in which both sides argued whether the case should be transferred from juvenile court.

Prosecutors allege that in October 2024, the teen, then 15, shot and killed his parents and three siblings at their Fall City home and wounded his 11-year-old sister. Police say the girl was shot in the neck, pretended to be dead until the suspect left the room, then went to a neighbor’s home for help.

The question of adult or juvenile court arose because the teenager was about two weeks short of his 16th birthday when the shootings happened. Under the circumstances described in the case, turning 16 before the killings would have meant an automatic adult trial, according to the report on the court decision.

The choice of court could significantly affect a sentence if the teen is convicted. The report said a person convicted in juvenile court could be released less than 10 years after the killings; the adult-court ruling does not determine guilt.

The teen remains accused, and the allegations have not been proven in court.